Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World with CD-ROM

I am an 80 year old Columbia Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering. A member of National Academy of Engineering and retired head of Pleastics Research, Bell Labs, specializing in Thermodynamic and Dynamic Behavior of Complex Fluids and Solids. The subject of this book has started with an MIT Professor Sterman, but I noticed his chair title bears the name of Forrester whose name was that of the inventor of the RAM, invented from theoretical analysis and persuasion. So I purchased Sterman's and later this book. I have not finished reading the whole books because I'm taking time and repeating sections from both books, as I read them ideas come up at any time of the day or night. This book, as I suspected, can be useful with all areas, a book of general interest, as for the General Theory of Relativity. By comparing digital Nonlinear paradigm with analog Linear paradigm, the reader may be lucky enough to experience a limbic excitement that two paradigms are equivalent. I can apply this principle (I pick up throughout the book) to apply to my nonlinear viscoelasticity theory for the nonequilibrium glassy state with cooperative molecular relaxation, for an economist at Princeton University (a double Novel Laureate) to apply the nonlinear Keynes "constant" to advocate that, to save world from the replay of the global depression, a deficit to avoid the global bankruptcy is a necessary evil. For the authors for the origin of the modern men and women, including the creative authoress of the Aquatic Ape, to introduce the nonliear parameter for the floods the repetitive events of Freezing and Warming (Flooding) over twenty times, rather than a one-time event, and the fact that the numbers the neurons are not the best measure of the intelligence but the plasticity is; probablility of synaptic network, i.e., the anatomic volume of the memories, is a measure of memory and desire (T. S. Eliot, The Waste Land).

If you were to have just one book on the application of systems thinking in the business world, then this is the book. The book starts of by assuming that the reader knows nothing about the subject. However, a couple of chapters later you will see yourself studying much more advanced material and finding it relatively easy. Systems modeling is an extremely powerful technique that easily lends itself as a tool to understand the complexity that one finds in the business world today. Unfortunately, the business world is pron to waves of "fads" that seem to dictate how one should tackle problems. These fads are usually short lived and "fluffy". Systems dynamics is the opposite. The modeling techniques described in this textbook introduce a much needed rigor into the business world. The author writes clearly and you rarely have to read a paragraph more than once. My favorite part of the textbook is definitely the case studies that the author describes in detail. These case studies serve two goals. First, they show the reader how to use the modeling process which is described in the book, second they show the reader why these tools are so powerful. The book comes with a CD that contains three student versions of different programs. You can chose the one that you find best. I can honestly say that I cannot find any fault with this textbook. The topic is fascinating, the author writes clearly, the font is large, there are plenty of case studies, theres a CD with the book, there is an excellent bibliography at the end, and the entire book contains extremely valuable footnotes. Everyone who plans to write a textbook should check this one out first to get a few pointers.

The book is great read and very good condition with just some barely noticeable scratches at the back, dirt that I can clean off at the front, a tiny corner defect and the glue of the edge is coming off. Considering the book was published over 20 years ago, this is fantastic as new condition.Althought the CD is missing, it is acceptable because nowadays CD is obsoleted even from laptops and pcs. The CD contents are all included in the website of the book. So it works out.I am just sceptical about the pricing scheme. When I was browsing around, the price was $81. A few more clicks, it became $82. After I purchase, I see the price was up again to $83. 2 weeks later, the price become $145. All the price changes are from the same book supplier. That is not very pleasant as a consumer.

Sterman's book is far and away the best and most comprehensive book on system dynamics for business. Although the title is "Business Dynamics" it really is a text on applying system dynamics to both business and larger social issues/systems.If you are a strong student of business and systems then this is the book for you. It is highly recommended if you are interested in learning the most you possibly can regarding system dynamics and how to model systems. However, if you are searching for an introduction to this area - watch out. The book is actually quite advanced - it is used at MIT and other graduate business programs at top universities.What is amazing about this book is that it blends absolute precision, correctness and detail with practical modeling advice and insight and it is written in a relaxed style with numerous examples. It is one of the best examples of clear writing about a complex topic. Dr. Sterman's years of system work has allowed him a level of clarity that is unsurpassed in the business and systems area.As mentioned earlier, the book can be overwhelming and I would recommend a newcomer to this area to pick up several books first, to provide a more gentle introduction. This is not a contradiction of what I wrote earlier, it is simply that the book packs so much information in its pages, and it is still very long.Highly recommended.

I received the book without the CDROM.Please send it ASAPBRALBERTO

CD missing from the package